A Novel Acuity Testing Method

March 3, 2008 updated by: National Eye Institute (NEI)

The purpose of this protocol is to develop a valid, reliable, better standardized, and more efficient test of visual acuity (ability to see fine details) for use in clinical trials. Recent improvements in computer video hardware permit calibration, characterization, and accurate rendering of eye-chart-quality letters. The computer can then be used to measure acuity. The modified binary search (MOBS) testing strategy is one method of computer-based testing. This study will compare the accuracy, precision, stability and utility of the MOBS technique with the eye chart method used in the National Eye Institute's Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). The ETDRS method is currently the gold standard for acuity testing in clinical trials.

Study subjects will include NEI clinic patients between 7 and 90 years of age with or without eye disease. Eye diseases include poor visual acuity, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, optic nerve abnormality, corneal abnormality, uveitis, glaucoma, other retinal or choroid abnormality, amblyopia or other eye disease.

Participants will have their vision tested in each eye using both the ETDRS eye chart method and the MOBS method. The ETDRS method will require subjects to read all the letters on the chart until they can no longer see the details. For the MOBS method, they will read a single letter at a time that will appear on the computer screen. After reading each letter, a new letter will be presented that is either bigger or smaller in size. After completing the last acuity test, participants will fill out a questionnaire regarding their preference for one test type over the other.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

The primary objective of the project is to develop a valid, reliable, better standardized and more efficient test of visual acuity for use in clinical trials. Accuracy, precision, stability, and utility of the test will be assessed for non-inferiority with Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) protocol, the gold standard for acuity testing in clinical trials.

The experimental protocol (EVA-MOBS {Electronic Visual Acuity - Modified Binary Search}) utilizes a testing strategy that would appear to increase the efficiency and standardization of acuity threshold determination. A more efficient test is justified on the basis of reducing subject burden. Increased measurement efficiency may also reduce both subject- and tester-based bias, while allowing a better means to assess measurement stability through the collection of repeated measures data.

As part of the standard eye examination, replicated visual acuity assessments will be made during regularly-scheduled Clinic visits. Up to 500 opportunistically-sampled subjects from the National Eye Institute will be tested both with the ETDRS and EVA-MOBS protocols over a 12 month study period. Similar testing will take place at two other institutions (Devers Eye Institute, Portland, OR; The Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX) and the data from all three institutions will be combined and analyzed at the JAEB Center (Tampa, FL). Subjects will range in age from 7 years to 90 years and will be classified by clinical diagnosis (normal, high refractive error, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, optic nerve abnormality, corneal abnormality, uveitis, glaucoma, retinal/choroid abnormality, amblyopia and other criteria). First, those with poor acuity will be oversampled by increasing the chance that they will be selected for this testing. Second, patients will only be selected for this extra testing if it will not seriously delay clinic operations on any given day. Order of acuity test type will be randomized. It is estimated that up to 10 patients per day can have this testing performed without compromising clinic operations.

The experimental protocol runs on a Palm handheld that is used to provide instructions to the tester, record the subject's responses, and communicate with a PC/monitor at a test distance of 3 meters. Stimuli are high contrast black-and-white ETDRS letters presented on an ultra high resolution FD Trinitron monitor, that subtend 2.5 to 200 min of arc; each letter appears in isolation under equiluminant conditions, and is flanked with black bars to simulate visual crowding.

Acuity scores will be compared, with the ETDRS score serving as the reference standard. Stability of the acuity estimates from the EVA-MOBS protocol will be assessed with data from repeated measures. A short questionnaire will be administered, following the last acuity test, to determine whether a test type preference exists.

If results indicate that the protocol is well tolerated by clinical populations and that thresholds are accurate, precise, and stable, the method will be standardized for use in future trials. Use of stimuli to test visual resolution acuity, such as the Landolt-C, may subsequently be evaluated.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • National Eye Institute (NEI)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects will include clinic patients selected with priority for those with poor visual acuity and based on maintaining smooth clinic functioning.

Subjects will be classified into those with or without ocular disease, high refractive error, AMD, cataract, optic nerve abnormality, corneal abnormality, uveitis, glaucoma, other retinal/choroid abnormality, amblyopia, or a specified other ocular disease.

Patients with low vision will be oversampled in order to test within a large range of possible end points.

All subjects will have the ability to understand and sign an informed consent form obtained prior to enrollment.

Enrolled participants will range in age from 7 years to 90 years.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Illiteracy (inability to identify letters of the Latin alphabet)

Children younger than 7, due to cognitive inability to undergo specific tests and procedures required in the protocol.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

March 1, 2001

Study Completion

October 1, 2002

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 3, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 3, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

April 4, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 4, 2008

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2008

Last Verified

October 1, 2002

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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